Brotherhood 101 Study Guide
Everything you need to know
The OA Song:
This is the same song we sing at every lodge meeting. It doesn't really matter how
good of a singer you are, just make sure your not the one person not singing!
The Handclasp:
The handclasp is basically a left handed hand shake, the only difference is that you need to
keep your pinky finger open to interlock with the one you are shaking hands with, this is the
same handshake the 4 principles would have greeted you with after inducting you into the
lodge. This is the proper way to greet a felllow arrowman so its important that you remember
it.
The Admonition:
This one may have been hard to understand when you first heard it as it was whispered in your
ear during your induction ceremony.
This is a native american word meaning To love one
another. If you do not remember it you should contact your brotherhood chairman who will
gladly remind you, or ask another member. You can use this to identify other arrowmen, its
sort of like a password, but you will need to know it for Brotherhood 101. This is only to be
SPOKEN. Never WRITTEN!!!!!
Now here comes the hardest part.
The Obligation:
I do hereby promise, on my honor as a scout, to always and faithfully observe, and preserve the
customs and traditions of the Order of the Arrow:
Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik, Witahemui.
I will always regard the ties of Brotherhood in the Order of the Arrow as lasting, and will seek to
preserve a cheerful spirit, even in the midst of irksome tasks, and weighty responsibilities, and
will endeavor, so far as in my power lies, to be unselfish in service and devotion to the welfare of
others.
Pronunciation:
Wimachtendienk (Wee-mak-ten-dink)
Wingolauchsik (Wing-Oh-Low-Sick)
Witahemui (Whit-Tah-Hem-Away)
The Sign of the Ordeal
The sign of the ordeal is meant to be another way of determining whether someone is truly a
member of the order. The sign can be made by putting your right hand over your left
shoulder, and then drawing it straight up as if drawing an arrow from a quiver
The Customs and Traditions of the OA
Who are the four Principles?
1. Kichkinet: Kichkinet was the first principle you met on the night of your ordeal, he served as your
guide, leading you to the circle to meet the others, Kichkinet represents helpfulness and freindliness.
He is the youngest of the principles and is fairly new to his postion as the guide.
2. Nutiket: When you approached the circle you met Nutiket, the Guard. He symbolizes bravery and
cheerfulness. He Guards the circle and only opens it to those who are ready.
3. Meteu: The third principle you met was Meteu, the wise old medicine man, he reminds us of our
need to love one another and to remain reverent.
4.
Allowat Sakima:
The final principle you met was Allowat Sakima, the Mighty Cheif.
He
represents leadership, and our duty to God and Country.
The Tokens:
1. The Bow: Given by Nutiket, the bow represents livelyness and cheerfulness under pressure
2.
The Bowstring: Given by Meteu, it represents the ties of brotherhood
3. The arrow: Given by Allowat, it represents that you were set apart from your fellow scouts for
something higher. And that your path should remain straight and true. He asked you to test the bow
as a symbol of your strength and will power.
4.
Not so much a token as much as an action, was when Kichkinet shot the arrow from the bow as a
symbol of the beginning of your journey in the right direction.
The four tests:
1. The pledge of silence: This was meant to be a time of thoughtful reflection for you. Not being
able to speak encouraged you to be alone with your thoughts so that you could truly contemplate what
you were experiencing.
2. The night alone: This was to symbolize that you were set apart from your fellows for a reason.
also helped you understand that you were meant to contemplate on yourself during that time.
It
3. The day of labor: The labor was meant as a challenge to see that you were willing to work
cheerfully for the good of others, even if it meant you had to work hard at a cost to yourself.
4. The scant food: this was meant to test your will power.
dedication to the ordeal.
It was a test of self denial, as well as
The Legend:
The Legend describes how the peaceful lives of the Lenne Lenapi tribe were threatened by neighboring
tribes and distant enemies. It is told to you by Meteu. He describes Chingachgooks call for
volunteers to alert the nearby villages of the danger, but Chingachgooks call was met with indifference
from tribal members.
Uncus, the son of the Chief bravely offered help despite the negative reaction from those around him.
He selflessly worked to protect his tribe even though they would not do the same for him. He had a
higher purpose and saw that he could make a difference. He saved his tribe from total destruction.
The Three W's
The origional name of the Order of the Arrow was Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik, Witahemui.
come from the Lenne Lenapi language and the translate to "Brotherhood of Cheerful Service"
These
The Sash
The sash is to be worn around your body with the arrow facing up and to the right. The sash is only
meant to be worn at OA events, never to show off your membership. It is not an award like star, life or
eagle, it is only meant to be worn out of respect for the order.
Use this to study for Brotherhood 101, it will help you greatly!!!